Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about gross, net, taxes and benefits in Germany.
How does Incomly calculate my net salary?
Incomly calculates exactly according to the official calculation procedure (PAP) of the German Federal Ministry of Finance for 2026 wage tax withholding – the same procedure every payroll software in Germany uses. Add the current social insurance rates and contribution ceilings. All calculations run directly in your browser.
How accurate is the result?
The wage tax calculation is verified against the official BMF calculator and accurate to the euro. Small deviations from your actual payslip arise from details such as your health insurer's exact supplemental rate, levies or company specifics. The result is a non-binding estimate and no substitute for tax advice.
Is my input stored anywhere?
No. Salary, tax class and all other inputs never leave your browser – the calculation happens entirely on your device. Incomly sets no cookies and uses no third-party services. Only anonymous page views are counted, without IP addresses and without recognition.
Which tax class combination pays off for married couples?
As a married couple you can choose between 4/4, 3/5 and the factor method (4+F). 3/5 gives the higher earner more monthly net but often leads to back payments. The factor method distributes the tax most fairly. Our tax class comparison calculates all three variants with your salaries.
What is a benefit in kind (geldwerter Vorteil)?
Non-cash benefits from your employer with monetary value – such as the private company car, vouchers above the €50 exemption limit or subsidised housing. The value is added to your gross and taxed, but not paid out: your bank transfer shrinks, but you receive the benefit itself. You can enter the amount directly in the gross-net calculator.
How does the 1% rule for company cars work?
For private use, 1% of the gross list price per month is applied as a taxable benefit, plus 0.03% per kilometre for the commute. EVs are heavily favoured: only 0.25% (up to the list-price cap) or 0.5%, plug-in hybrids 0.5%. Our company car calculator covers all variants including a logbook comparison.
Which benefits are tax-free?
Quite a few: vouchers up to €50/month, the job ticket (Deutschlandticket), a company phone with private use, a company bike provided on top of your salary, gifts up to €60 per occasion and staff discounts up to €1,080/year. Careful with exemption limits: if the €50 limit is exceeded by even one cent, the entire amount becomes taxable.
Is an occupational pension (bAV) worth it?
With salary conversion you save taxes and social contributions today: in 2026 up to €676/month is tax-free and €338/month contribution-free. A €100 contribution often costs you only €50–60 net. In return, the later company pension is fully taxable – and your employer must add at least 15%. The calculator shows your specific saving.
Why does my actual payslip differ from the result?
Most common reasons: a different supplemental rate of your health insurer (adjustable in the calculator), registered allowances, one-off payments like Christmas bonuses (taxed separately), levies or capital-forming benefits. Check the calculator's advanced options – most specifics can be configured there.
Which tax year does Incomly calculate for?
You can switch the tax year directly in the calculator – currently 2026 (basic allowance €12,348, ceilings €101,400/€69,750) and 2025 (€12,096, ceilings €96,600/€66,150). Each year uses its official BMF calculation procedure and the matching social insurance parameters. We keep variable values up to date continuously.